TopInterview with municipality’s personFor creation of an environment for unique small- and medium-sized businesses to demonstrate their strengths: “Reinforcement plan of the regional industrial infrastructure in Tachikawa City”

Tachikawa

For creation of an environment for unique small- and medium-sized businesses to demonstrate their strengths: “Reinforcement plan of the regional industrial infrastructure in Tachikawa City”

Tachikawa City has thrived as the entry to the Tama Area and a key point of transportation. Industry and Tourism division provides a wide range of support to small- and medium-sized businesses for their secure operations.

Tachikawa City as an attractive business hub in the Tama area

Photo: Tachikawa Station and its surroundings

Tachikawa City is located at the center of the Tama area and is a key point of transportation with Chuo Line, Ome Line, and Nambu Line of JR as well as Tama Monorail. Businesses are developed around the Tachikawa Station where people gather, and more and more companies are establishing branches and offices there as their business base in the Tama area.
As there used to be an airport in Tachikawa City, related industries have achieved unique development. Even now, there are many factories located in a site where an automobile factory was located in the north of the city and around the old Tachikawa Airfield. There are also a lot of successful small- and medium-sized companies that possess original technologies and develop unique products.
Tachikawa City has implemented the “reinforcement plan of the regional industrial infrastructure in Tachikawa City” approved by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government so that such small- and medium-sized businesses can keep operating in the city with a sense of security.

Issues that industries in Tachikawa City face

Photo: A factory in Tachikawa City

Tachikawa City first held over ten meetings with businesses in order to understand their needs, and consultants with expertise have visited businesses for five years to provide advice.
As a result, it has become clear that there are many medium-sized companies with original technologies, but they face various problems such as decrease in sales and co-existence of houses and factories.
“There is a new problem that although there are a lot of medium-sized businesses with highly competitive engineering, the technical strength is not fully exerted. We believed that creating an environment in which companies in the city can perform to its full potential was necessary for development of industries in Tachikawa City.” (The person responsible)
Tachikawa City has implemented support measures described below, reflecting these voices from local businesses.

Supports to maintain the industrial agglomeration in the city

Photo: Family Monozukuri Tour

As many factories in Tachikawa City are located in areas mixed with houses, businesses must give consideration to surrounding residents. The city provides subsidies for measures against noises, vibrations, and odors to improve the operating environment of these companies.
Subsidies are also available for development of company websites and/or brochures and participation at exhibitions to expand opportunities to acquire orders.
“Family Plant Tour” is held every year for local children to increase their interests and understanding in Monozukuri.

For interactions and collaborations of businesses

Photo: Tachikawa Sozosha

Tachikawa City also hosts meetings for local businesses in the city to exchange information for collaborations and is developing a platform for such opportunities.
A ‘culture factory’ named “Tachikawa Sozosha,” is to open near the Tama River in 2015. Classroom buildings and gymnasium of a closed elementary school will be reborn as a place of birth and development of new creations. http://tachikawa-sozosha.jp/

Shared office space will be available at low cost to organizations in cultural businesses such as arts, sports, science, and education and those who aiming to become professional artists. In addition, there will be space for workshops and events. The facility also has a space for filming and a cycling station. This new form of factory for co-learning, co-creating, and co-providing is getting much anticipation.
Contact: Tachikawa Sozosha Preparation Room (NPO Arts Network Japan)
Phone: +81-03-5961-5200